Scholes plays down goal

19 February 2009 10:00

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has responded in typically modest fashion when describing his strike against Fulham.

The 34-year-old was instrumental as United stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with a 3-0 win at home against the Cottagers.

The win was never in doubt as soon as the former England international opened the scoring when he volleyed home a corner from outside the area on 12 minutes.

Although the ball squirmed under Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer before crossing the line, Scholes still managed to connect fiercely with a drive many top players would not have the audacity to attempt.

But the veteran still managed to play the strike down, instead praising the pass laid on to him by midfield partner Michael Carrick.

"I don't think it was one of my better ones," he told MUTV.

"It was a great ball from Michael to find me and I caught it quite well. The keeper will probably be a little disappointed he didn't save it but I was happy it spun into the net.

"Over the years I have always contributed goals but in the last couple of seasons that hasn't been the case as I have been playing slightly deeper.

"Hopefully that's the start of a few more to come."

BrilliantRed Devils striker Dimitar Berbatov, scorer of United's second and his 12th goal of the season on Wednesday, heaped praise on his understated team-mate and indicated why the strike was no fluke.

"Nobody else in the world can play the way Scholes does," the Bulgarian stated.

"The passes he produces all over the field and the way he changes the game is brilliant. Every manager would like him. But luckily he is here and playing with us.

"Paul practices that all the time. When he has finished training he always goes out and shoots."